Pilots Train

General Robotics Limited (GRL), introduced Version 4.0 of it ROVolution ROV pilot training and mission planning simulator that uses real-time dynamic and hydrodynamic modelling to give pilots a highly realistic experience of subsea operations.
ROVolution now includes a comprehensive Pilot Training Metrics module to improve the measurability and consistency of pilot training and assessment. An instructor can use the built-in tools to give him an objective measure of key pilot competencies like the time taken to complete a task, how much the pilot varied from a designated survey path, what force was put on the tether, and how much tether was paid out compared to the distance from the TMS. Pilot Metrics is valuable as part of a structured training course and is useful to identify where additional training is needed. Pilots themselves can use the system for self assessment and evaluate their own progress over time as part of their continuing professional development.
The system also provides the ability to rapidly assess the skills of contract pilots and their ability to perform a particular job, and subsea companies have shown considerable interest here. Operators can run a particular job configuration and get a measure of individual pilots’ speed, accuracy and ability to cope with difficulties like strong currents or poor visibility

From the Navy News Service:
1859 - The first Navy ship built on the West Coast of the United States, Saginaw, is launched at Mare Island, Calif.
1867 - The Navy Civil Engineering Corps is established.
1899 - An act of Congress creates the rank "Admiral of the Navy" for George Dewey.
1973 - Women begin pilot training in the Navy.
For more information about naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil

Stephen Cummings and David Harris of the Brisbane Marine Pilots attended an Emergency Shiphandling course conducted September 13-17, 2004, at MarineSafety International's simulator training complex in Newport, RI. Topics covered included ship maneuvering in narrow channels and docking operations in tight quarters under difficult circumstances of wind and current. The pilots were also able to practice procedures for employing escort tugs using a computer model of the port of Brisbane

Captain Tom Jacobsen, President of Jacobsen Pilot Services, Inc., a long-time provider of pilotage for the Port of Long Beach, announced that Long Beach Pilots would be attending a training course at MarineSafety International (MSI) in San Diego. The four-day course is designed to combine an opportunity for the Pilots to review the principles of Bridge Resource Management (BRM) and to sharpen their skills in working with new types of tugs an advanced towing strategies.

Systemic safety issues in Queensland coastal pilotage operations have been identified in an Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation report.
Coastal pilots form a key defence against a serious shipping incident in parts of the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait as part of a suite of broader protective measures already in place.
The ATSB began an investigation into coastal pilotage operations in December 2010 following the release of its report into the grounding of the

Effective immediately, the Houston Pilots will accept vessels with drafts up to 45 ft. (13.7 m) in fresh
water. In the wake of the crisis along the U.S. Gulf Coast, the Houston Pilots are foregoing a previously scheduled phased-in approach to larger vessels, as the maritime industry needs to divert many deep draft
loaded vessels from ports affected by Hurricane Katrina.
The Houston Pilots are comprised of 81 pilots; including two deputy pilots still in training.

McAllister Docking Pilots and Tug Operators attended a two-day Tractor Tug Operations training course October 8-9, 2004 at MSI's Newport Simulator Center. The class focused on the capabilities and limitations of Azimuthing Stern Drive Tugs and Voith-Schneider Propulsion. The training was split between classroom and simulator time; interactive simulators were used to reinforce the learning points. The principle instructor for the course was Captain Vic Schisler

In 2009, Sogreah, a firm of consulting engineers working in the fields of water, energy and the environment, launched the Otello, a 1:25 scale model of one of the world’s largest container carriers. This event was part of the celebrations to mark the extension of its shiphandling training center, Port Revel.
On March 29, to open the 2010 season, Sogreah will launch the latest addition to its fleet, the Q-Max, a faithful reproduction of a 1

Kimberley TAFE Broome Maritime Simulation Centre has extended its range of services by selecting a Transas Full Mission Transas Simulator. The Transas Marine will upgrade the existing simulation centre to provide one of the most advanced marine trainings and R&D tools in the Australia.
The simulation suite includes a main bridge and a tug station for a new port development, training of pilots and tug masters.

A cargo ship ran aground and smashed into a villa on Turkey's Bosphorus Strait on Tuesday, forcing maritime authorities to close the key waterway to transit traffic, shipping agency GAC said.
The 105 metre Sierra Leone-flagged Majed & Randy had no pilot on board when it suffered a rudder

Ship Handling by Hervé Baudu
Responding to the recommendations arising from the STCW convention on the knowledge of maneuvering required of deck officers, the book Ship Handling analyzes all aspects of a vessel's maneuverability, whether passing through open water or confined waters

James Troop supplies two new Volvo Penta engines to upgrade Mersey pilot boat
Merseyside-based engine specialist James Troop & Co has secured a deal to supply and install two Volvo Penta D9 engines to extend the service life of one of Liverpool’s River Mersey pilot boats.

The West Gulf Maritime Association (WGMA) is urging its members with ships arriving at any port in the western US Gulf to participate in the Menhaden survey.
The annual Menhaden spawn (typically April through October) has created challenges for ships transiting local waterways

A lack of timely communication and a vessel separation policy in precautionary waterways led to Houston Ship Channel accident, NTSB says in report; reiterates recommendation for a vessel separation policy
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that the Miss Susan

The search for the missing Dornier aircraft of Indian Coast Guard and its three crew members is being augmented with underwater search by naval submarine, reports All India Radio.
After six days of efforts to trace the missing Coast Guard Dornier aircraft

The pilot of a tow vessel that ran aground in June 2014 was sentenced for negligence.
Gerold Holt Bosarge was sentenced June 12 in United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama to a violation of Title 46, United States Code, Section 2302(b)

New Kongsberg Maritime and DNV-GL DP Operator Training Scheme Enhances Competence and Reduces Time to Certification
Kongsberg Maritime has become the first global maritime training provider to offer a new DNV-GL approved Dynamic Positioning Operator (DPO) training scheme at its training

Transas has released a new version of Transas Pilot PRO, iPad-based chart plotter for professional pilots and mariners.
Transas said its Pilot PRO is designed to make the job easier for pilots and other marine professionals in their daily routine

A Norwegian ship rescued more than 600 migrants from two wooden boats on Monday in the southern part of the Mediterranean, the Norwegian police said on Twitter.
All migrants picked by the ship, the Siem Pilot, were healthy, including several pregnant women, the Norwegian authorities said.

Seatronics Ltd, an Acteon company and part of its survey, monitoring and data business, has promoted Derek Donaldson from vice president Asia Pacific to vice president global operations.
Donaldson enters into a new position within the Seatronics Group management structure

Arranging new changes to its brand positioning, the Transas Group informs it will now focus its efforts solely in the maritime market.
The group’s shareholders made the decision to focus the Transas brand on the maritime business only

Despite the conservative reputation of the pilot boat industry, Pilotage de la Seine, a French pilot boat station, decided to think outside the box and install Volvo Penta IPS in two of its vessels. According to Volvo Penta, the benefits the station has seen have been extensive, signaling, perhaps

It was no ordinary arrival for the Brazos-Santiago Pilots of Brownsville, Texas
The Brazos-Santiago Pilots handle some 600 ship and vessel transits through the Port of Brownsville each year, but it's not every day that they get the opportunity to guide a venerable and storied U.S